Tentative budget keeps tax steady

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KITTANNING — Kittanning Council approved a tentative budget for 2014 on Monday that holds the line on real estate taxes at 27.5 mills.

But changes to the budget could be in store once the newly elected council members Randy Cloak and David Croyle join council in January.

Council on Monday voted 7-1 to approve the preliminary budget. Councilman Richard Reedy opposed the measure, saying after the meeting that he didn't think there had been adequate time to discuss budget line details prior to Monday's meeting.

“It's possible that, when the new council comes on, the budget will be reopened,” Reedy said.

The preliminary budget is expected to be considered for final adoption at council's meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 30.

After Monday's meeting, councilwoman Joie Pryde said health insurance costs for borough employees are among the items that still need to be finalized within the budget.

“We can't plug in those numbers yet,” she said.

But overall, she said, not a lot is expected to change within the preliminary $2.8 million budget.

“It's going to be really close to that,” she said, adding that “no taxes will be raised.”

On a house with an assessed value of $40,000, the tax bill at 27.5 mills would be about $1,100. A mill generates about $28,000 in revenue for the borough.

In other business:

• Council voted 8-0 to approve giving Hose Co. 4 a $4,500 credit toward its $10,000 capped amount. Each of the three fire departments receives a total annual amount of $10,000 from the borough to cover engine and equipment maintenance costs. However, Hose Co. 4 maxed out its capped amount several months ago by paying a $4,500 maintenance bill, carried over from last year, which had not been paid by the borough.

• A letter of resignation was received from the Borough Solicitor Chase McClister effective Jan. 1. “It is with deep regret that we accept your resignation,” Reedy said.

• Mayor Kirk Atwood announced that parking will be free in town during the two-week period leading up to Christmas.

Brigid Beatty is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-543-1303. or bbeatty@tribweb.com.

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